364 



iodide of mercury blisters. Opening the sacs, as recommended by some 

 authors, is of doubtful utility, and should only be adopted by the sur- 

 geon capable of treating the wound he has made. Enforced rest until 

 complete recovery is eifected should always be insisted on, as a too early 

 return to work is sure to be followed by a relapse. 



SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK. 



Sprain of the fetlock joint is most common in the fore legs, and as a 

 rule affects but one at a time. Horses doing fast work, as trotters, 

 runners, steeplechasers, hunters, cow-ponies, and those that interfere, 

 are particularly liable to this injury. 



Causes. — Horses knuckling at the fetlock, and all those with diseases 

 which impair the powers of locomotion, such as navicular disease, con- 

 tracted heels, side bones, chronic laminitis, etc., are predisposed to 

 sprains of the fetlock. It generally happens from a misstep, stum- 

 bling, or slipping, which results in the joint being extended or flexed to 

 excess. The same result may happen where the foot is caught in a rut, 

 hole in a bridge, or in a car track, and the animal falls or struggles 

 violently. Direct blows and punctured wounds may also set up inflam- 

 mation of the joint. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of sprain of the fetlock vary with the 

 severity of the injury. If slight there may be no lameness, but simply 

 a little soreness, especially when the foot strikes on uneven ground, and 

 the joint is twisted a little. In cases more severe the joint swells, is 

 hot and puffy, and the lameness may be so intense as to compel the 

 animal to hobble on three legs. While at rest the leg is flexed at the 

 joint affected, and the toe rests on the ground. 



Treatment.— U the injury is slight, cold-water bandages and a few 

 days' rest are sufficient to effect recovery. In cases where there is in- 

 tense lameness, swelling, etc., the leg should be placed under a constant 

 stream of cold water, as described in the treatment for quitter. When 

 the inflammation has subsided a blister to the joint should be applied. 



In some cases, especially in old horses long accustomed to fast work, 

 the ligaments of the joints are ruptured, in whole or in part, and the 

 lameness may last a long time. In these cases the joint should be kept 

 completely at rest; and this condition is best secured by the applica- 

 tion of the plaster of Paris bandages, as in cases of fracture. As a rule, 

 patients take kindly to this bandage, and may be given the freedom of 

 a roomy box or yard while wearing it. If they are disposed to tear it 

 off, or if sufficient rest can not otherwise be secured, the patient must 

 be kept in slings. 



In the majority of instances the plaster bandage should remain on 

 from two to four weeks. If the lameness returns when the bandage 

 is removed, a new one should be put on. The swelling, which always 

 remains after the other evidences of the disease have disappeared, 



